Cement is a complex chemical glue that hardens when mixed with water and any other durable material. It will remain extremely impact, heat, abrasion & weathering resistant once it has set! One interesting characteristic of cement is that it does not require air to set; in fact even under the ocean or outer space would do if there’s enough moisture available for reaction with the cement powder.

Cement is made primarily from limestone and fired in a kiln at very high temperatures to create clinker. Clinker is finely ground, mixed with small amounts of other minerals, making OPC (Ordinary Portland Cement), which creates the chemistry that determines its strength/colour/durability etc. There are minimum standards for manufacturing cement products according to Australian Standards.

Concrete is extremely versatile and can be used to create structures such as: high or low rise buildings, bridges, columns, beams, pipes wall panels internal and external floor surfaces. Floor surfaces made from concrete are usually the most notable because they often incorporate a myriad of decorative finishes that enhance their appearance.

Coloured, stamped, stenciled and acid-etched concrete was developed to enhance the appearance of flat surfaces such as: internal & external floors, driveways and pathways.

The performance aspects of the concrete you choose are designed for your convenience. So, rather than focusing on technicalities like strength and durability, just focus on how it looks in its final form.

At Concreters Melton we offer a variety of finishes, decorative aggregate options and colors for the surrounding paste. With our exposed or polished finish you can choose from our pigment range to create your desired colour scheme.

The process is not complicated at all. All concrete starts out in a wet and malleable state (often referred to as the Plastic State). This property of concrete enables it to be formed into an endless number of shapes.

After hours, the shape becomes harder and firmer since they have begun turning from that stage known as Hardened Stage.

A step in the process of making concrete is called final set. First, a layer of surface paste covers and protects any stones or sand that might be on top before it hardens into cement. Next, this thin overlay over the stone mixture can be removed by using pressurized water to wash away all but what’s under the surface. To keep things moist during this phase (and also help ensure an even outcome), chemicals known as Surface Retardants are used too.

Exposed aggregate concrete is a type of decorative finish for the exposed surface of concrete. The process involves removing part or all of an outer layer, called: aggregate, from the finished piece to expose another material such as sand and cement paste that was mixed in with it during construction. This causes colour variation between bits where aggregates are removed and those still present which results in a patterned appearance often described using words like “decorative” or “rustic”. Exposed Aggregate Concrete can be used indoors around fireplaces or outdoors on driveways sidewalks patios pool decks etcetera making this technique highly versatile among materials commonly found throughout homes today.

How long a project takes to finish is dependent on different variables such as design, type of concrete, complexity of the methods, area where it will be install, among others. If you want to know the estimate of how long your project can take, call us today to inquire.

It can sometimes cost between $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the type of concrete installation to be made and the area where it will be built. Get a FREE quote for your project today if you call us at (03) 9118 0690.

Yes! We have a huge inventory of coloring pigments that you can choose from – from subtle neutral colours to vibrant hues, we have it all for you. Call us today to explore the different options we have for you.

We recommend applying a concrete sealer after the application. This will help protect your new colour and make it last longer! Contact our team for recommendations today.

Concrete can achieve full strength within a week’s time, but it needs to be left alone for at least three days. The concrete will not have reached its maximum potential after just one day or two of setting because this process is only the beginning stages and must go through several steps before reaching its final form. The first step in building with concrete starts by waiting 24-48 hours so that the cement has enough time to set into shape while still having some flexibility from being wet yet sturdy enough to hold strong under pressure without buckling. 

You can call our number at (03) 9118 0690. One of our friendly representatives will help you through all of your concerns!